The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said residents will not repeat the political mistakes of the 2023 general elections, urging them to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

Peter Obi of the Labour Party defeated Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress in the FCT in the 2023 presidential poll.

Mr Wike, who spoke on Thursday, at an interactive session organised by the Rainbow Coalition of the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party in Bwari Area Council, Abuja, endorsed Senator Philip Aduda and John Gbadaya under the coalition’s political arrangement.

The minister cautioned residents against politicians he described as “political gamblers,” insisting that the ongoing infrastructure projects and other interventions in the FCT justified support for the Tinubu administration.

“The mistake we made in 2023, would we make that mistake again? If it was an error, would we make that error again?” Mr Wike asked, drawing a “no” response from the audience.

According to the minister, the Rainbow Coalition was established to unite politicians across party lines and promote the interests of FCT residents, arguing that political affiliation should not take precedence over development.

“It doesn’t matter the party. After all, party is a vehicle that conveys you to where you are going. When you get there, you come down from the vehicle and you now work for the interest of the people,” he said.

Mr Wike, who advised residents to assess the performance of the senator representing the FCT, Ireti Kingibe, based on their accessibility and commitment to addressing the needs of communities across the territory, declared support for Mr Aduda.

“Today, the people of FCT, do you feel the impact? Do you feel the presence of the senator representing FCT today?” he asked. “So, I am here today to present to you your own son. The man who understands when you are sleeping. The man who knows when you are crying. The man who knows when Gombe people are in need. Senator Philip Aduda.”

The minister also endorsed Mr Tinubu’s second-term, attributing the progress recorded in the FCT to the president’s support and approval of major projects.

“All these things are being done because somebody is responsible. If the person does not agree with the minister doing anything, nothing will happen,” Mr Wike noted.